News
A message from CEO Sam Harma – September 2019
RDACW’s CEO Sam Harma with RDACW’s Chair Christine Weston. Photo Credit: Central Western DailySpring is here and it’s an exciting time in the Central West. There are a number of NSW Government grants which close at the end of the month, this includes the popular Stronger Country Communities Fund. I encourage all community groups to take up these opportunities when they arise. RDA Central West is happy to support applicants by providing general advice on grant applications, and the process for submission.
All budding photographers in our region should also make the most of the recently launched ‘Central West is Best’ photography competition. This provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people, the produce and passionate communities which make our region so great.
Lastly, I must congratulate all involved with the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program across the Central West which was recently recognised through the 2019 NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.
Start Snapping! NEW ‘Central West Is Best’ photography competition launched
It’s time to get snapping! Calling the community to focus their lenses on RDA Central West’s NEW ‘Central West Is Best’ photography competition which is now open for submissions but closes in two weeks.
Total prize pool $1,000. Categories for both under and over 18 years means everyone can get involved.
Theme: ‘Agriculture and Tourism: Let’s Showcase Our Region’. Show us, in images, why the Central West is such an ideal place to live, work, visit or invest in.
Entries CLOSE: 5pm, Monday 30 September 2019.
Download the competition flyer/poster, here
For full competition details and T&Cs visit, here. Please read in full before submitting entries.
FOLLOW US to see if your image is featured or even if you’ve WON! Facebook: @RegionalDevelopmentAustraliaCentralWest and Instagram: @rdacentralwest
HASHTAG your images so we can SHARE them on social media: #centralwestisbestphotocomp #rdacentralwest
NSW Women of the Year Awards 2020 nominations now OPEN
Now in their ninth year, these Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to business, industry, community and society.
Nominations can now be submitted, and close the last week of October. Who in your community deserves recognition?
There are seven different categories including a ‘Regional Woman of the Year’ Award.
Nominations CLOSE Friday, 25 October 2019. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held 5 March, 2020.
Visit, the Awards website for the full list of categories, further information and to submit nominations, here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news/2020-nsw-women-of-the-year-awards-nominations-open/
Local Sporting Champions Grants CLOSE this month – don’t miss out!
Round 2 of these popular grants provide financial assistance for local sporting champions such as coaches, officials and competitors aged between 12-18yo who participate in state, national or international championships.
Applications CLOSE at 11:59pm on Mon 30 September, 2019.
For more info, visit: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions
SISP NRMA Future of Transport Challenge winners
In partnership with NRMA, the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program (SISP) challenged students to create an innovative product or service which addresses a real-world need through human-centered design thinking.
Awards for this 2019 Challenge were presented to students from Mullion Creek Public School.
Read more about the program and the awards by clicking through to the below article.
Skills Training for drought affected farmers and businesses
As part of the NSW Drought Assistance Package, the NSW Department of Education is subsidising skills training for farmers and regional businesses impacted by the drought who are looking to transition into new or updated career opportunities.
Download the Drought Skills flyer here: Drought Skills Package (1)
For further information call 13 28 11 or visit: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/news/articles/skills_for_nsw_drought_affected_communities.html
Community Building Partnership Grants now OPEN
The NSW Government, through the Community Building Partnership Grants Program, is investing in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.
In 2019, there is a maximum of $300,000 to allocate in each state electorate.
Applications CLOSE 5pm, Friday 27 September, 2019.
For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/community-building-partnership/
NSW Small Business Month 2019 is coming!
October is NSW Small Business Month. Designed to support small businesses to both start and grow, the NSW Government has organised a wide variety of inspiring educational events and webinar sessions, with many of them FREE.
With something for everyone, the courses range from social media marketing and financial related topics to business acceleration and networking events. Registration is essential.
Visit: https://www.businessmonth.nsw.gov.au/ for a full calendar of Small Business Month related events and courses during October, 2019.
Beyond Blue’s FREE NewAccess
Mental Health Awareness Month this October asks you to check in to see how YOU, your FAMILY and/or MATES are travelling mental health wellness wise.
NewAccess is a FREE new service launched by Beyond Blue and is now available to some parts of the Central West region. A confidential mental health coaching service, where you DON’T need a GP referral or Mental Health Plan, that provides support over six private sessions. Access the service in person, by phone, Skype or FaceTime.
For more details call Beyond Blue t. 1300 224 636 or visit:
Get SNAPPING! ‘Central West Is Best’ Photo Comp
Call-out for the Central West to get snappy this spring!
Are you a budding, professional or social media photographer who loves to take shots of people, places and farm life that portray the heart and soul of the Central West region? Well, Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA CW) would like to hear from you!
RDA Central West is launching their inaugural ‘Central West Is Best’ photography competition. With $1,000 in prizes on offer, now is the time to focus that lens.
The theme for the photo comp is ‘Agriculture and Tourism: Let’s Showcase Our Region’.
RDA Central West CEO Sam Harma, said the competition was an opportunity to highlight the region’s agriculture and tourism offerings which make the Central West so special.
“Our region is so diverse from Condobolin to Cowra and Oberon to Orange each community has a special reason to stop, shop, or stay.
“When you think about the Central West you also think about our world class farmers. The drought is making things tough, but we can still shine a spotlight on our produce, our people and our passion for the land. Tourism and agriculture remain key pillars of our local economy, driving jobs and opportunities,” Mr Harma said.
This mix is also a core ingredient of the Central West’s tourism appeal. The attraction of agricultural tourism in our distinctive region means visitors can enjoy such diverse activities such as wine appreciation and picking seasonal fruit to attending one of our many regional farmers’ markets or packing a picnic for the races with locally grown produce.
“What better way to support these sectors than to showcase them in this way. There will be both Junior (under 18yo) and Open sections of the competition. So all school-age children are encouraged to get snapping too,” said Mr Harma.
Applications must be submitted via email to: admin@rdacentralwest.org.au by 5pm on Monday, 30 September 2019. Winners will be announced early October via social media. Hashtag any of your images shared on social media with #centralwestisbestphotocomp and #rdacentralwest
Please include a sentence or two about your image and why you think the ‘Central West Is Best’. Complete details and conditions regarding the competition can be found here.
FOLLOW US: Facebook: @RegionalDevelopmentAustralia and Instagram: @rdacentralwest for updates and to see if your image is featured or if it’s WON! Contact RDA Central West’s office with any queries: admin@rdacentralwest.org.au or t. (02) 6369 1600.
READ TERMS & CONDITIONS here. Make sure you read this document in full before submitting your entries, via email.
DOWNLOAD competition flyer/poster here.
Media contact: Sam Harma, CEO, RDA CW, e. director@rdacentralwest.org.au m. 0448 288 698.
STEM Industry School Partnership (SISP) Program wins Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Excellence
Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA CW) has welcomed the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program being recognised with a state wide award through the 2019 NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.
Scott Sleap, Mark Scott, Cheryl Best, Matt Scott
SISP NRMA Future of Transport Challenge Winners
Earlier this month the awards for the SISP NRMA Future of Transport Challenge 2019 were presented to students from Mullion Creek Public School.
In partnership with NRMA, the STEM Industry School Partnership Program (SISP) challenged students to create an innovative product or service which addresses a real-world need through human-centred design thinking. The NRMA Challenge is all about investigation, collaboration and entrepreneurship to solve a local transport problem, with a focus in Orange on new transport technologies and how they can improve the delivery of local produce to customers from the Central West. (more…)
